there have been a few topics on kayaks, canoes, and other small boats recently. I've posted in some of them about the nucanoe frontier I got this season. Depends on what you want and what you can spend. I've looked at the creek boats I just didn't care for them being more like a sit in canoe and I can only fit one person. Thats why I just spent the extra on a nucanoe frontier 12 it was a combination of everything I wanted. Easy to paddle, super stable, could use small motor/trolling motor, could accomodate two, or be set up for one, with one I can layout in it, it can be set up well for fishing or hunting, and it's hard to find someone who has one and doesn't like it. Sure it wasn't cheap, but kayaks, canoes, hybrids or whatever you go with it's worth spending the money on a good one cause you'll wish you had in the long run. look at the bass pro ascend sit on top kayaks there is a 10ft and 12ft model I thought about going with the 12ft model as they are pretty stable and versitile and pretty well priced. I still think about getting the 10ft model for days I wanna paddle alone and have something a little lighter and easy to carry around than the nucanoe.

Kayak hunting you shouldn't be concerned with speed your not gonna be going fast paddling anything. I'm sure it's not as fast as some narrower kayaks. It's pretty wide thats how it gets it's stability same with my nucanoe. I'm sure they paddle well but probable aren't as fast as some but I'd take a little slower paddling for good stability. I know reviews of the 10ft one and the old style 12ft people said they are stable enough to stand up in pretty easily. I thought about pulling the trigger on one but I ended up finding a deal on a used nucanoe frontier 12 which I'm I spent the extra for it's awesome. The ascends for the money are hard to beat from what I understand though the plastic isn't as thick as some of the higher end kayaks and they aren't going to have the technical and warranty support of more high end company but they are a lot cheaper. These perception kayaks are great for the money as well too I was considering one of these as well, but like I said I really wanted a nucanoe I knew if I got anything else I'd still be wanting the nucanoe but these are a good option as well for the money.

it all depends on what you want the fs12t is gonna have more storage and stability than the pescador they are both good for the money however. Personally I'd rather have the storage and stability plus the ascend can take a trolling motor.

Red neck engineering- If ya can't fix it with duck tape, bailing wire, zip ties, and JB weld well than it can't be fixed.

If it moves and it aint suppose to duck tape it. If doesn't move and its suppose to put WD-40 on it.

Hobie is a great kayak, but you don't want that drive in shallow rocky rivers. Plus hobie and low cost, don't match up.

The new Fs12 is a great improvement over the old model. The old one had some problems with thin plastic and having spray foam under the seat area. I hope they resolved that but have not been able to look at one up close. It has a nice design. Its only 12' and 31" wide so, so not real fast or slow in the middle somewhere, but only displaces 350 pounds. The ride series kayaks do 500 and 550 in comparison. hunting gear and birds get heavy. This displacement might be its main limitation for hunting.

The Prescador kayaks have the same weight limit and I know guys complain with them loaded and having water coming up through the scuppers.

"If you can't have fun doing it, it ain't worth doing, or you're just doing it wrong."

As I stated earlier and cupped n committed is pointing out to get really good kayaks you have to spend some I was trying to give the OP some more affordable but pretty good options. For the money from what I've seen the ascedn fs12 and pescador are hard to beat. But as stated they do have some faults but are about half the price of anything that is much better. It's part of the reason why I bit the bullit and just saved and bought a nucanoe it met all the requirements I had and hasn't fell short yet. I knew if I rushed and bought anything else I probably would still be wanting one and would spend more in the end. Is the nucanoe as fast as some paddling no but it paddles pretty easy, tracks well, turns well, and if I wanna scoot I have a 55lb thrust trolling motor for it. I'm also thinking of making a light weight lontail for it using the 2.5hp harbor freight engine and sps mini longtail kit. As this doesn't weigh anymore than my battery and troller but would take it through anything easily might almost be too fast really.

Red neck engineering- If ya can't fix it with duck tape, bailing wire, zip ties, and JB weld well than it can't be fixed.

If it moves and it aint suppose to duck tape it. If doesn't move and its suppose to put WD-40 on it.

The Nucanue frontier is a good kayak and stable. its slower than some from its width, but why it is very stable. Its faster than any marsh boat anyone will paddle though!

You buy what you can afford. I bought a cheap kayak from ****'s for my first one. It does nothing but hang in the garage as a spare now if some kid wants to tag along fishing. Now I have a Commander and Ride 135 and hunt and fish from them as they are stable, convenient and work better.

A hobie or a slayer propel would be awesome, I just can justify that much for a peddle drive with kids and their schooling still.

"If you can't have fun doing it, it ain't worth doing, or you're just doing it wrong."

any thoughts on the feelfree moken 12.5? It looks like this is a new kayak that is stable but also relatively fast. That is exactly what I have been searching for. Its a bit expensive, but I hope the next kayak I buy will be my last.

RickC wrote:any thoughts on the feelfree moken 12.5? It looks like this is a new kayak that is stable but also relatively fast. That is exactly what I have been searching for. Its a bit expensive, but I hope the next kayak I buy will be my last.

RIck C.

I own one its fast but its a little tippy i rolled it in january all i can say is it was cold lol but its some nice hunting and fishing those hard to get at spots with it..

I really like the Predator and wanted to look at one, but they were selling for $1100 and I was able to get a Ride 135 in January as a close out for $850 and jumped all over it. Now I have the ride for me and the dog and the Commander for the daughter.

I think I like the slide trax on the Ride better than the replaceable mounting plates, but I would love to paddle a predator and see how that bow cuts through the water!

Also wonder how does the chair fold up. Can you fold it in the back, lean a pad on that cross bar and make it a layout? I have to experiment with how I will layout with my ride still.

"If you can't have fun doing it, it ain't worth doing, or you're just doing it wrong."

I haven't paddled the Predator yet either, but I should have an opportunity next weekend.The seat flips completely over on the rear seat mount, every inch of flooring under it is exposed. I'm pretty sure a guy could figure out a way to sit in the floor like a layout boat. I may just give that a try, on dry ground, water temps are still in the low 40s here.

I can't blame you for picking up that 135 for that price! Great boats I spent 7hrs in mine yesterday trying to coax a bass to bite....

I caved in a few weeks ago and ordered a PA14.. figure I spend enough time kayak fishing, I might as well spring for the premier platform.